Audio GuideBeyazit Square

At the heart of Istanbul’s storied old peninsula sits Beyazıt Square, where the city’s energy has flowed for centuries. Long before trams rattled past or the call to prayer rang out, this open expanse marked the very centre of Byzantine life as the Forum of Theodosius. Established in the final years of the fourth century, its original splendour included fountains and triumphal arches, remnants of which are still tucked away nearby.

Ali El Khalili

Following the Ottoman conquest in the middle of the fifteenth century, a palace known as the Old Saray stood here, and over time the square became more lively. In the early years of the sixteenth century, Sultan Bayezid the Second commissioned a grand külliye—a complex comprising a mosque, school, soup kitchen, and bathhouse—which became known as the Beyazıt Külliyesi. The mosque’s central dome, flanked by semi-domes, echoes the design of the magnificent Hagia Sophia. Its surrounding buildings catered to spiritual, educational, and everyday needs, and the area quickly attracted people from the bustling neighbourhoods and the vast Grand Bazaar nearby.

Desislava Hristova

Today, as you cross the square, the striking gates of Istanbul University stand before you—a Neo-Renaissance gateway designed by the French architect Bourgeois at the end of the nineteenth century, watched over by the slender Beyazıt Tower just behind.

Fahri Kas

Beyazıt Square has long been a hub of public celebration and city life. In Ottoman times, it hosted elaborate royal weddings, lively performances by musicians and acrobats, and gatherings of fortune tellers. Over the years, the square has undergone transformations—from redesigns following European fashions, to restoration projects in the Republican period, and, most recently, an extensive renewal completed in twenty twenty-two, which introduced new terraces, lighting, and green spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Mohammedi Essadiki

Here, history and contemporary life intertwine—political rallies, festivals, and daily routines unfold against a backdrop shaped by generations. Now, Beyazıt Square is not only a place to pause and experience Istanbul’s spirit, but also a living reflection of the city’s rich cultural tapestry.